I was so excited when Papercut Patterns released their new collection of patterns before Christmas and saw that it included another trouser patterns with amazing seamlines, curiously named Peter & the Wolf. It happened to coincide with a free worldwide shipping deal they were doing so I bought it directly, but I see the new collection is available on Sewbox.co.uk now, which might work out cheaper for Europeans.
I sewed this up in early January (right after the pale Burda dress), but I’ve been thwarted by inhospitable photoshoot weather two weekends in a row, so it was now or never this weekend, even though I’m still not fully recovered from the shingles. Forgive me if I don’t look as cheery as usual!
I sewed these in some dark brown stretch twill that I’d bought in Paris last Spring, though it’s not the easiest fabric to see seamlines in! I’ve lightened these photos as best I can without them looking overly washed-out. I didn’t have any particular attachment to this fabric, but it was in my stash and was a stretch woven as per the pattern requirements, so I made these as a trial version (or wearable muslin if you prefer). I might fancy making these again in some stretch wool suiting in my stash from last winter…
While I’m wearing these, the fit feels comfortable, but looking at these photos, I reckon I could’ve gone down a size, as they look a little baggy throughout the hips and thighs. I made a size Large based on my Hip measurement, but I may try the Medium next time.
Since it was the seaming that drew me to this pattern in the first place, I really like that all the mid-leg vertical seams as well as all the yoke seams are topstitched, which helps them to stand out.
The closure is an invisible zipper in the side seam (check out my awesome job lining up the diagonal yoke seams!), and a trouser hook at the waistband.
The waistband is a basic rectangle, though, and something I’ve never really liked in other patterns, either – I find that the top of the waistband likes to stand away from my body and not fit as snugly as a curved waistband piece (with a separate facing). I personally would substitute in a curved waistband off another pattern for my next version, but if straight waistbands aren’t something that bother you, there’s nothing to be worried about with this one.
And finally, here’s a nice shot of the unique hem detail, which dips low and curved in the back, and sweeps up to an inverted V at the centre front:
It’s a nice and unique feature, but it does require some concentration to select shoes to wear with them, as they definitely look their best with heels, and not ankle boots or flats!
One change to the pattern format from the previous collection is that the instructions are printed on the same brown paper as the pattern pieces, but given dotted lines and instructions to assemble these into a little booklet (see on the left below):
I actually enjoyed this, and it felt like a little craft project before the craft project! I strongly suggest you do cut out and assemble the little booklet, though, because the instructions are very good, and it means they’re a lot easier to refer to while you’re sewing.